WYETH'S REPOSITORY OF SACRED MUSIC, 1810

ASMI 541 

Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music. Selected from the most eminent and approved authors in that science, for the use of Christian churches of every denomination, singing-schools & private societies. Together with a plain and concise introduction to the grounds of music, and rules for learners. By John Wyeth. Printed (typographically) at Harrisburgh, Penn. By John Wyeth, printer and bookseller, and sold by him, and by the principal booksellers in the United States. 1810.

120 p. 13.5 x 24.5 cm. Music printed in 4-shape notation.

Copyright granted, 11 October 1810, District of Pennsylvania, to John Wyeth as proprietor. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3], 'Preface'; p. [4], 'Musical Terms'; p. 5-15, "Introduction to the Grounds of Music, &c.'; p. 16-119, music; p. [120], 'Index.' 'As it is unusual to meet with a book, however trifling, without a preface, the editor, to avoid singularity, and feeling desirous to say a few words explanatory of his motives in ushering to the world his Repository of Sacred Music, has adopted the usual course. It must be confessed, that although most musical compilations contain many pieces of acknowledged merit, the airs of which, if performed with taste and judgment, are capable of inclining the soul, if it is not harder than adamant, with the most exalted and sacred adoration; it is equally certain, that they likewise contain many, which neither do honor to [t]he authors nor credit to the taste of the compilers, being considered generally improper for divine worship, and seldom used as such; consequently laid aside as so much trash-introduced, as purchasers often observe, to swell the book and enhance the price. But a few of the tunes introduced in this work have claim to originality. In the selection, the editor has not depended entirely upon his own judgment; well aware, that to "please with his airs," much depends on the variety of taste among the admirers of sacred music. The lovers of ancient melody, will here recognize a good number of old acquaintances, that were almost "dead and forgotten lie:" While the friends to modern composition will find themselves by no means neglected. In short, if many years attention to the charms of church music-if an extensive acquaintance with the taste of teachers of the first eminence in the United States, and with the possession of some thousand pages of selected music to cull from, be considerations which may add to the merit of the editor's undertaking, he is confident that his Repository will claim a patronage among the admirers of sacred music.' (Preface in full.)

          129 compositions, incl. 5 anthems & 3 set-pieces, for 4 voices, some for 3 & a few for 2; full text. Attribs. to Austin, Belcher, Billings (10), Brown, Brownson, Brunson, Bull (2), Castle, Chandler, Coan, J. Cole, Cowling, Crawford, Dr. Croft, Deolph, Edson (3), Haldrayd, Uri K. Hill, Holden (8), Howel, Ingalls, Johnson, King, Knapp (3), N. Little, Luther, Madan, Mead [Read], Mitchel, Morgan (4), Munson, Peck, Randall, Reed (10), Russ, Sansum [Tans'ur], Smith [American], T. Smith, Stephenson (2), Stone (3), Strong, Swan (3), Tansur (4), Temple & M., Thorley, Ward, Weal, S. Webbe, Whetmore (2), Williams (7), G. Williams [A. Williams]. 1 1st pr. identified (NEW JUBILEE), also 5 1st Am. pr. (COMMUNION, PASTORAL ELEGY, PENITENCE, SUPPLICATION, WESLEY). 89 American compositions, 35 non-American, 5 unidentified [BABEL, COMMUNION, MORNING HYMN, SUPPLICATION, WESLEY] (70 attrib. Americans, 19 traced; 28 attrib. non-Americans, 7 traced [Anthem: Behold; BATH, COLESHILL, FUNERAL THOUGHT, RICKMANSWORTH, ROCHESTER, SUTTON NO. 2]). 

62 Core Repertory.

          S22116 (MWA). CtHC, MWA*, NHi, RPB.

NOTE: WESLEY, a tune of unidentified origin, is printed without attribution in Carden, The Missouri Harmony (Cincinnati, 1820). It is ascribed to 'More' in Walker's The Southern Harmony (New Haven, 1835), suggesting that Walker may have taken it from William Moore's Columbian Harmony (Cincinnati, 1825), which has been unavailable for reference here.

          A facsimile reprint of the 5th ed. (1820), with an introduction by Irving Lowens, has been issued (New York, 1974).

          The following issues appeared after 1810:

          Second edition (Harrisburgh: John Wyeth, 1811).

          Third edition (Harrisburgh: John Wyeth, 1814).

          Fourth edition (Harrisburgh: John Wyeth, 1816).

          Fifth edition (Harrisburgh: John Wyeth, 1818).

          Fifth edition (Harrisburgh: John Wyeth, 1820; reprinted, New York, 1974).

          Stereotype edition, enlarged and improved (Harrisburg: John Wyeth, 1826).

          Stereotype edition, enlarged and improved (Harrisburg: John Wyeth, 1834). 

          In 1813 Wyeth brought out a collection with an entirely different content, Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second. That work also went through a number of editions.

ASMI pp. 629-631.